Churchill Drilling Tools completes four drill-string severs in Middle East

Created: Tuesday, 05 November 2019 05:51

Oilfield service company Churchill Drilling Tools has announced four successful drill-string severs using its HyPR HoleSaver, following stuck pipe events across the Middle East, including two in the UAE

Over the last six months, four drilling teams from three major Middle East operators deployed the HyPR stuck pipe solution. All successfully cut their drill-strings in a matter of hours, a 100 per cent success rate. One UAE operator severed its drill-string in a record-breaking 60 minutes, after getting stuck due to heavy losses.

Churchill’s HyPR is a safe, simple stuck pipe solution, pre-placed in the string that enables operators to reinitiate operations rapidly. Crucially the technology, unlike traditional stuck pipe methods such as explosives or chemicals, requires no additional topside equipment or personnel.

Nicholas Kjaer, Churchill’s general manager in the Middle East and Asia, said, “Stuck pipe usually halts drilling operations until the pipe can be freed – adding millions of dollars to the cost of a drilling campaign. Operators no longer need to incur days or even weeks of delay while specialist equipment and personnel are mobilised. The HyPR now enables operators to sever their drill-string in a matter of hours, which means drilling teams can get back on track quickly and safely at low cost.”

The company said as a result of this success, operators are increasingly adopting the HyPR as their primary contingency against a stuck pipe. The technology has already been described by clients as ‘revolutionary and ground-breaking’ and a ‘game-changer for managing stuck pipe’.

“The HyPR’s first four severs took place in the Middle East, which reflects our operators’ willingness to push the boundaries of innovation and lead the industry. Recognising the significant savings the HyPR HoleSaver can deliver, demand in the region continues to increase further establishing Churchill as the industry’s leaders across downhole circulation,” Kjaer added.

The ‘60-minute HyPR cut’ will be on public display for the very first time at ADIPEC 2019 on the Churchill Drilling Tools Stand (8531) from 11-14 November 2019.